Name: Andrew Takara
Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya
Stage of formation: Prenovice

Andrew Takara, 28, of Nairobi, Kenya, is the son of Moses and Jane Takara. He has two brothers currently in the seminary pursuing priesthood; Andrew hopes to be a brother. He has a degree in computer usage and is a certified public accountant. Prior to entering Glenmary, he worked with a large optical company in Nairobi. Andrew is also the first cousin of Dennis Makokha who is a Glenmary student currently attending St. Meinrad School of Theology.

More about Andrew Takara

Andrew Takara, 28, was born to a Catholic family in Nairobi, Kenya, and baptized when he was about five years old. Although his family lived in Nairobi, he explains, his father wanted Andrew to be baptized in the rural town of his ancestry, “so he waited until we went back ‘home’ to have me and my brother and sister baptized.” Such a practice is common in Africa, Andrew says, depending on how far a family lives from its ancestoral church.
           
Andrew began to develop an interest in religious life while in primary school. He entered minor seminary for high school and his interest developed even more. Andrew met Father Steve Pawelk through Dennis Makokha, a Glenmary post-novitiate student and Andrew’s cousin. Andrew decided to apply for admission to the Glenmary Home Missioners following discernment retreat. He feels comfortable with Glenmary’s commitment to serving a variety of cultures and its exploration of forgotten mission areas. “That’s what I want to do with my life,” Andrew says.

As a boy, Andrew was interested in priesthood but today he is exploring the possibility of missionary brotherhood. He is attracted to the great variety of ministries that are performed by Glenmary brothers and believes he may be suited to that calling.
           
Andrew has been in the United States since early September and says that he is adjusting to the culture well. He has noticed that people in the United States are more inclined to act as individuals rather than as a community, which is the case in Africa. When families go to church in Africa, they expect to stay for a long time, not only worshipping but visiting with friends and family, as well. “Here, everyone seems to mind his own business,” Andrew observes.

Andrew did not expect to see as much diversity as he has seen in Hartford and Ohio County. He has met others from Africa as well as Hispanic immigrants in the community.

In addition to the seminars that Andrew is taking at Brescia University, he is working at the Ohio County St. Vincent de Paul Society and is considering regular visits to a nursing home. In Kenya, he was a member of the Nairobi branch of the Christian Life Community and he spent time visiting children’s homes and hospitals.

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